Video: Women Talk Shop, but not Only for Women

I had the honor and pleasure of hosting a panel made up of a few women leaders in the precision machining industry. The “interview” easily transitioned into a discussion about their important roles at their machine shops, their career paths and what ultimately led them to manufacturing, how it became their passion, the challenges they have faced and more. Although the session features a women-only panel, the conversation is not only for women.

Aneesa Muthana, CEO, president and co-owner at Pioneer Service Inc., a 2020 Production Machining Emerging Leader; Cassandra Haupers, president at Swiss Precision Machining Inc.; and Debbie Sommers, president at Lakeview Precision Machining Inc., joined me during the video. 

These women give good advice on how to be successful in the manufacturing field. They also talked about the trials and triumphs of being a strong leader, why community outreach is so important in this industry, and how they are doing their fair share for workforce development.

The COVID-19 pandemic was not an avoidable topic, as these leaders touched on the positives and negatives of working through the challenging period. They realized they are experiencing many of the same struggles as well as graces.

“It’s amazing how similar our stories are, yet still totally unique,” Haupers said, after the live session ended.